Now It's the Other Hip

We have a weekly Tuesday morning meeting at my office. Everyone gathers in the common area and we run through the weekly agenda. Yesterday, I was fighting a migrane (It's still lurking but staying quiet), so I sat on the floor - It's a casual office and it's not uncommon.

When the meeting was over, one of my peers said, you look like you're in pain. I told her about the headache, and she said it looked like it hurt when I was standing up.

Indeed, the left hip has been protesting movement the past few days.




I found this exceprt on the UCONN Sports Medicine Site

"Aside from arthritis, hip problems occur as a result of muscle strains, hip bursitis, and tears of the labrum. Muscle strains (groin pulls) are often debilitating and require lengthy rehab time only to recur regularly. Hip bursitis is the inflammation within a bursa on the outside or lateral aspect of the hip. This is often associated with patellofemoral problems (kneecap), and both are caused by a tight iliotibial band (ITB). Stretching and rest usually are sufficient to resolve the discomfort."

Wow! Caused by kneecap problems? A tight ITB? I can believe it. I will admit, I don't strech as much as I should. Apparently I need to. In the long run (no pun intended) it would probably cause me less heartache.

I have run some this week, not near what I think I need to do, but I would prefer to rest it a little and get a long, easy run in this weekend.

Breakin' Down the Numbers

I never thought I was an analytical type.

My senior year in college I took Interpersonal Communication. During a brief discussion of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test I found out that a small part of me had an analytical side.

Once I learned that small nugget of information it really changed the way I looked at things, and, without a doubt, changed my career-path. (You wouldn't believe the metrics wrapped around what I do...)



Knowing that about me, you can probably understand why I enjoy figuring out where I fell in the pack in the Winter Park Road Race...

There were:

921 Men

974 Women

1895 Finishers

How did I stack up?

I finished 47th out of 155 in my age group - 30th percentile.

I was the 288th woman to finish - 29th percentile.

I was the 888th participant to cross the finish line overall - 46th percentile.

Obviously, I don't ahve enough 10k races under my belt to make any sense out of this, but it's still fun to crunch it all up.

The percentiles are better than the Outback Distance Classic but that's not an apples to apples comparison. We'll re-visit these numbers next year when I run these races again.

Winter Park Road Race = New 10k PR!

What a beautiful morning for a run!

This morning I woke up at 4:45 AM. I took my time getting ready and headed out the door just after 5:30 AM.

The plan was to meet my friend Kelly at the Winter Park Village and ride together to Park Avenue.

Me, Colleen and Kelly - Halloween 2006

We were really glad we did, or we might not have found each other. The race was filled to capacity and there were a ton of people there.

I parked further away than I thought from where we were supposed to meet Marathon Chris and her beautiful exuberant daughter. We were a few minutes late and I was concerned because "Phedippediation Girl" was racing in ten minutes. I was hoping that I hadn't missed the window to meet up.

They were waiting and it was so great to meet them. Chris is just a great person - like there was any doubt - and her daughter is equally as passionate about running and technology.

We headed to the start and along the way - BONUS! I got to meet Shirley too. Shirley was really nice. I am adding her blog to my sidebar.

After the 2 mile race started we parted ways with Chris for a bit. Kelly said to me "Dang! I wish I had been that motivated when I was 12!"

I agreed and thought that special shouts need to go out to Chris for instilling the passion and providing to tools and guidance to help the passion grow!

Kelly and I lined up and watched a firefighter don the entire fire suit -sans tanks - for the run. Man, that had to be hot, although probably cooler than a fire???

On our way back to the car, Kelly and I talked about the fireman - it's the second time we've witnessed this phenomenon. The first time was at the Watermelon 5k on July 4th. It was a hot day and those peeps had tanks too! We debated if it was some sort of training procedure, if the firemen do it to say they did it or if they got some sort of merit badge for the effort. Does anyone have any insight?

The race started and we were off. As soon as we crossed the finish line. Chris, Kelly and I seperated. We all have a different pace.

I loved the course. It started the same way that the Team in Training Saturday morning runs went seven years ago (Maybe they still follow the same route?). It had been so long since I had been that way. I spent the first two miles remembering running there, so long ago. Mom of one - a three year old still sleeping at home. Fast forward and I now have two and that three year old little boy is 10 1/2 and almost as tall as me. It's amazing how time marches on and just how long (with some long breaks in there) I have been at this.

During the first mile I saw a guy about 25 feet in front of me take an elbow in the face. He almost fell. I'm still not sure how it happened. It was weird.

There were a lot of supporters along the course - cheering us on from their driveways and front yards. The course wound it's way through some exclusive neighborhoods that have just beautiful homes, however the brick roads required attention so I didn't really enjoy the view.

My final net time: 58:07. w00t!

Kelly and I were headed to the food and we saw Chris burning up the bricks on Park Avenue. We stopped to cheer for her, she was so close to the finish line! Unfortunately we did not see her again.

We will need to align on another race.

Winter Park Road Race

I thought it would be too much of a hassle. I figured we were headed to Sarasota on Saturday morning. As badly as I wanted to, I didn't think I was going to be able to swing this one.

I was wrong.



We are going to Sarasota for the Christening of Darrell's best friend's daughter. Darrell has been asked to be the Godfather. What a special honor. We aren't leaving until Sunday morning.

I went to the Track Shack At lunch and picked up my packet.

I'm particularly excited about the Winter Park Road Race. I have only ever run one 10k race ever. Sure, I have run plenty that were a greater distance, but only 1 official 10k. October 8 2000, my son's 4th birthday, I ventured out to the Disney Classic 10k. Now known as the Race for the Taste. The theme in 2000 was "Run Around the World" I imagined the Marketing Team sitting around thinking, thinking.... EPCOT, World Showcase, Columbus Day a few days later, and there you go. From a marketing perspective, the perosn who came up with Race For the Taste and tied it into to Food and Wine Festival should have gotten a bonus.

I digress...

My time for the Disney Classic: 1:08:54. I hope to lop at least 10 minutes off of that. My 10k time at the Disney Half Marathon was 58:50 with more than 6 1/2 miles still to go.

Another reason I am so excited about this race... Marathon Chris. After a few attempts it looks like we will be at the same place at the same time and can hopefully arange a time and place to meet. It's exciting to meet others with not only a passion for running, but a passion for blogging and technology in general. I feel like I know you all already.

We are so Web 2.0...

Marathon Chris - I will email you.

Inspiration for More

A few weeks ago at the Outback Distance Classic 12k, I had a conversation with David about the progression a runner takes with regard to races.

He told me when he started running he thought he would just run 5ks. Then a 10k started looking pretty good. Then a half marathon and the next thing you know it he's running the full 26.2.

I have returned to this converstation in my mind several times over the past few weeks. It has really gotten me thinking...

There are several things that I really like about about 13.1

I'm already ready already. I can run a half marathon on a moments notice

I recover quickly. I can run 13.1 and continue on with the rest of my day, like any other.

I can start running again after one day off.

That being said, the full distance has been on my mind.

When I run, I keep the display on the treadmill covered until the last mile. It's just a ritual that in theory keeps my mind off of the number of miles left to run. I check my distance every half mile (or less) - but it removes some sort of mental block of the numbers.

For the past several weeks I have had the display covered with the February edition of Runner's World. You probably think that I have gotten through those miles by looking at David Siik's abs. I must admit to spending a few 3 mile runs enjoying the view, I have spent most of my time with Tim Twietmeyer staring back at me, daring me to run another mile or two.


Tim Twietmeyer has run the 100 mile Western States Endurance Run 25 times, in less than 24 hours each time. That's what Kevin would definately call a stud!

So is there 26.2 in my future? We will see...

The Much Needed Long Run

I feel so much better!

I had been planning on 10 miles this weekend. But Irish Blue seemed a little worried about her 11 mile run today, so I told her I would run 11 miles also to support her.

I woke up this morning around 9:00 AM. One of Darrell's buddies was coming over they were going to go out for a motorcycle ride. I had a cup of coffee with them and then I ate a Clif bar. While the boys were preparing for their ride, I was preparing for my run. I got my water ready, changed into my running clothes and made sure the kids were situated with breakfast and activities to keep them busy while I was running.


How I feel now.

As I began to run, I could feel the layers of frustration from the past few weeks peel off of me. By the time I reached the halfway point, my mind was clear and I was able to begin some future planning.

It was a really nice feeling.

I normally run long on Sunday, but I couldn't wait to get going today. That means I should be ready to run again on Monday morning. Shaking up the routine a little bit.

Changing things up could be fun and just what I need!

Tomorrow is a New Day

The time change is making the mornings a stuggle - temporary I know... But frustrating nonetheless.

Darrell had to leave early this morning to go to Clearwater for business. I took the kids to school and there just was not time to get a run in this morning.

We have been experiencing a little strife at the office lately, which would easier to manage if I could get a run in.


How I feel these days

Ugh!

It's amazing how much of a release those long runs can be.

I'm feeling a little crabby from missing my long run last weekend too.

The funk I was feeling is gone - after my run tomorrow, I hope the frustration is gone as well.

What's Next?

After my whirlwind tour of the Southeastern United States over the past eight days, I am ready to get back to it!

My trip to Miami was truly educational, I met a lot of great people and finally met my vendor - after several months of weekly phone conversations, we can finally put faces with the names - It was awesome - and I was on a "Trade Show High" for days.


The Delano Hotel, South Beach

Unfortunately, all of that work left no time for a Tuesday morning run. Wednesday I was still exhausted from my trip, Thursday left me in not much better shape.

Friday morning found me in South Carolina and on the go. I knew it was going to be a crazy couple of days and didn't even pack my running gear.

Okay, so I was mad that I was going to miss the half in Charlotte - but it worked out anyway.

Saturday morning we were in High Point, North Carolina and we were preparing for our return trip home. Being in the car is exhausting...


High Point University

And I'm pretty sure I have had my fill of Chick-Fil-A.

Saturday evening we stopped for a real meal at Ruby Tuesday. They changed their menu, and I really didn't find what I was looking for in the way of fuel.

My exhaustion level and lack of decent fuel meant that after 2 miles yesterday, I was done. I just wasn't feeling it.

So now what?

I had a crazy week with little running and that makes me cranky. Tomorrow I plan on getting back into my regular routine - and maybe even change things up a bit.

Add some weight training, focus on some hill training and figure out how to get a better finish time.

For all intents and purposes, my half marathon season has come to a close.

What about races?

Women Run the World 15k - May 6th - For Sure!

Mad City Half Marathon May 27th - If I can swing a trip to visit my sister.

Philadephia Distance Run September 16 - What I really want for my birthday is a trip to Philly to run one last half marathon in this age group. Two days after this race, I will be in a different, more competitive group.

I'll sprinkle in a few 5ks for good measure along the way.

Stay tuned as I work to become a better, stronging and faster girl.

It's gonna be AWESOME!

Sarasota Half Marathon...

I disappeared to Miami and barely had time to sleep, let alone post. Conferences are hard work... If you have been waiting for the Sarasota report, you might be disappointed.

Due to a family emergency, the trip to Sarasota was cancelled. The race continued on without me. Sunday morning, the alarm was set for 5:20 AM. I had 13.1 on my mind and just before 6:00AM I got started on my beloved treadmill.

When I reached 6.6 miles, I could visualize myself turing around at the marina and heading back toward the finish line. As I got closer to the end, I could see, in my mind, the houses in the neighborhood the course winds through. But on this Sunday, it just wasn't meant to be.

There's always next year...

P.S. I continue to be much faster on the treadmill than I am on the road. I ran 13.1 miles in 1:52:30 - - 16 minutes than my fastest road time.

P.S.S. Charlotte isn't going to happen for me this weekend afterall.